What The Bosses Say - Latics Vs Villa

Wigan Athletic entertain Aston Villa in a Premier League fixture at the DW Stadium this Tuesday and both clubs need the points from the game for very different reasons, Villa are chasing 4th spot and Champions League qualification whilst the Latics are fighting for Premier League survival.

Prior to the game both bosses, Roberto Martinez and Martin O`Neill have spoken to the press, lets see what they had to say:

Latics boss Roberto Martinez

There's frustration because the performance against Liverpool was a very good one that showed the concepts we're good at'

'But to concede such soft goals against Bolton was a big disappointment and really affected us at the time.

'The boys have had time to flush the Bolton game out of their system; it was a big blow that no-one expected to suffer. Now they're all in good spirits and ready for the game which is the important thing.

'The main focus in football is winning and being competitive, it's got nothing to do with the style of football you play. It all comes down to the decisions you make on the pitch and trying to make sure you remain solid.

'We've already shown glimpses of the potential we have and the quality there is in the team; attributes that will take us to the next level. We've lacked consistency and we need to find that by concentrating and having team-spirit on the pitch.

'Styles of football don't get you results; individual and team performances do and that's where our work is focused.'

'It was a great performance at Villa Park on the opening day of the season, and we're disappointed not to have re-created that level of display throughout the campaign. On the day we controlled the game well, limited Villa to very little and created a lot going forward.

'It brings back great memories but we're at a different point now; Villa will come here ready to fight for three points and a place in the top-four, and of course we all know how important three points are for ourselves.

'It's clear that it will be an open game. The styles of the two teams will allow an exciting game of football.

'Villa have real quality in their side, especially in the wide areas and back that up with experience in many departments of the team.

'But we've shown great maturity at home, proved we are a solid side to play against and on the ball we can hurt many teams.

'It's all about re-creating that environment we had against Liverpool last week and making sure we react in the right manner as we always do at our football club when we get a disappointment. As long as we're all together as a club we'll get the rewards we deserve.'

Villa boss Martin O`Neill

'We've had a pretty hectic schedule, we've been going non-stop since mid-January and by next weekend will have played 16 games in 66 days - a match every four days.

'We got through to the Carling Cup final, we are in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and, when you're having a decent stab at the FA Cup, you are going to have postponements and we're fitting games in at the moment.

'I would prefer that to not being involved at all. Having said that, it is the utilisation of the squad now from here on in that I'm hoping will sort things out.

'It will be a busy spell for us ahead. I know that and we have to be up for the task. It's all about recovery in between games and that is the most important element of it all.

'But the main point over the next few weeks, with games coming thick and fast, and a semi-final to prepare for, is I will be very surprised indeed if we don't have to make a number of changes in the team.'

'In terms of fourth place, Tottenham have got points on the board and at this stage of the season that is important.

'Manchester City are still very strong and very much in contention and, despite the fact Liverpool got beaten by Wigan last week, they can not be written off and have the capabilities to win games.

'It has been difficult for them this year but they are also capable of winning six on the trot.'

'Wigan have had a strange season, at times they have played brilliantly in matches and then they've had some other indifferent performances.

'It has been 'topsy turvy' for them this year but the fact they defeated us, Chelsea and Liverpool shows it is a game to be taken very seriously.'

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